{"id":62225,"date":"2026-08-01T15:35:47","date_gmt":"2026-08-01T12:35:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.journeys6senses.com\/bilbao\/"},"modified":"2026-08-02T09:25:45","modified_gmt":"2026-08-02T06:25:45","slug":"bilbao","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.journeys6senses.com\/en\/bilbao\/","title":{"rendered":"Three days in Bilbao – what to see in the city and its surroundings"},"content":{"rendered":"

Most tourists come to the north of Spain<\/a><\/strong> for the ocean, green mountains, surfing, and small fishing towns. But there is one city that is quite unlike the rest. This is Bilbao<\/strong>\u2014the largest city of the Basque Country<\/strong> and a true cultural and industrial center of northern Spain.<\/p>

A few decades ago, Bilbao was one of the main industrial centers of the country. Shipyards, metallurgical plants, the port, and factories defined the life of the city for over a century. Today, it’s hard to recognize. The old industrial districts have been transformed into modern cultural spaces<\/strong>, the embankments have become favorite spots for walks and jogging. And the Guggenheim Museum<\/strong> made Bilbao one of the most famous cities in Europe.<\/p>

\"\u0411\u0456\u043b\u044c\u0431\u0430\u043e\"<\/a><\/figure>

The most interesting thing is that the city has not lost its own character. The Basque culture is still very much felt here, as is the locals\u2019 love for their language, traditions, and gastronomy. That’s why Bilbao is nothing like either Barcelona, nor Madrid, nor the neighboring San Sebasti\u00e1n<\/strong>.<\/p>

And around the city, there are incredible natural locations<\/strong>. In just half an hour, you can find yourself among high cliffs of the Atlantic coast, wide sandy beaches, surfer towns, or small fishing villages. That’s why, to explore Bilbao, I recommend allocating at least three days<\/strong>.<\/p>

During this time, you can not only see the city’s main sights but also understand why the Basque Country is so different from the rest of Spain.<\/p>

How to get to Bilbao<\/strong><\/h2>
\"\u0411\u0456\u043b\u044c\u0431\u0430\u043e\"<\/a>
Bilbao Airport<\/figcaption><\/figure>

Bilbao has an international airport, so the most convenient way to get here is by plane. It is located about 12 km from the city center and serves dozens of domestic and international flights. <\/p>

There are direct connections from the airport to many cities in Spain and Europe, including Barcelona, Madrid, London, Paris, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Lisbon, Milan, Brussels, Dublin, and others. Overall, the airport has over 60 regular destinations, served by dozens of airlines. (Aena<\/a>)<\/p>

By plane<\/strong><\/h3>
\"\"<\/a><\/figure>

The most convenient options to get to Bilbao:<\/p>